Tynwald could be asked to approve a financial motion for the horse tramway in June, but only if outstanding design and feasibility work is completed in time.
Treasury Minister Chris Thomas told the House of Keys that a capital funding request for the heritage rail project was received at the end of March and considered by Treasury Board and CoMin in April.
However, he added that Treasury is still awaiting submission of project design and feasibility documents from the DoI before a final decision can be made.
Mr Thomas said he had expected the paperwork to be ready for consideration at Treasury Board on 13th May, but added: ‘It wasn’t on the Treasury board papers when I came into this place at 10 o’clock.’
The minister insisted that proper scrutiny was necessary, telling members: ‘You do need proper design and feasibility assessments from an engineering point of view.’
He also raised questions about the projected cost, noting: ‘The first time I saw this was in 2022/23 and it was already £2m. I suspect the £750,000, although it’s been latched on to, is actually a transfer from a heritage rail revenue budget to the promenade capital project. It wasn’t actually the cost in 2020.’
Rushen MHK Dr Michelle Haywood pressed the Minister for a clear timeframe, asking when he anticipated receiving the additional information.
Mr Thomas replied: ‘The last date for the Treasury timetable to be met for the delivery of the business case to June Tynwald is May 13. I can’t say any more than that.’
Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby noted that eight weeks had passed since the March sitting of Tynwald and asked whether further delay risked missing the June deadline.
However, Mr Thomas responded, while acknowledging that timeframe, that ‘obviously every deadline is flexible to an extent’.
He added that ‘there’s goodwill from everybody involved’ and that he had been working on the matter ‘up till about quarter to 10’ on Tuesday morning.
A funding request would require Tynwald approval, which Mr Thomas described as ‘extra ad hoc capital expenditure that’s apparently needed’ and ‘a major decision that Tynwald will have to make.’
Mr Moorhouse later asked the DoI minister why it is taking so long ‘responding to a simple request from Treasury?’
Tim Crookall replied: ‘If there’s anything simple about what the treasury minister just said, please tell me what that was. He’s been trying to help and we are what we asked to do by Treasury and Council of Ministers. We have responded to get those answers back so we can resubmit the business case and bring it forward at the second attempt so we’ve got it in June Tynwald, we are doing our best.’ ”